What Women Ask Most About Abortion

Does it hurt?

If the cervix is well numbed, women shouldn’t feel pain during a vacuum aspiration, the most common procedure. But “virtually every woman feels cramping, as the uterus contracts to stop bleeding,” says Miriam McCreary, M.D., a Minnesota-based ob-gyn who has performed abortions for more than two decades.

Will an abortion affect my fertility?

No. In fact, if you don’t start taking birth control immediately, you could get pregnant again right away (which is why most doctors insist that you leave with a birth control plan in hand). “Studies also show no negative impact on future fertility,” says Cassing Hammond, M.D., an ob-gyn and associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Is the procedure dangerous?

“An abortion is a very safe procedure for women. Whether it’s in terms of a woman’s mortality or her chance of infection, hemorrhage or hysterectomy, an abortion is safer than childbirth,” says Dr. O’Connell. But every surgical procedure has risks. The most common complications, which happen in fewer than 2 percent of all cases, include infection (which is treated with antibiotics) and retained tissue, which often requires a second procedure.

Can I take the abortion pill?

Yes, but only if you are fewer than nine weeks pregnant (counting from the first day of your last period). It’s a two-drug combo; the first pill is taken at a clinic or doctor’s office and stops the pregnancy. You are sent home with a second pill that will induce miscarriage. Taking a pill doesn’t necessarily make the process easier; some women report severe cramping and are alarmed by the heavy bleeding.

What should I do if there are protesters?

“Ignore them and keep walking,” says Bill Falls, a Washington, D.C.-area clinic escort since 1995. If you’re nervous, Falls suggests asking the clinic when you make an appointment if they provide escorts. “It’s important to remember that it’s against the law for protesters to touch you, or impede your access to the clinic.”

How long will I have to wait to get an abortion?

“In many states, you can schedule an abortion for the following day,” says Donna Crane, policy director for NARAL Pro-Choice America. “But 22 states have waiting periods and require you to listen to a state-mandated script, usually 24 hours before you can legally have the procedure.” Doctor availability is another, sometimes critical, issue. In South Dakota, for example, there is only one clinic that provides abortions, and no local providers. Planned Parenthood imports ob-gyns from neighboring states two days a week, but you may not be able to get an appointment with one of them for up to 14 days. Similarly, some clinics have limits on how late in the pregnancy they will perform an abortion, which means you may have to travel to another state to have the procedure.

Will it increase my risk of breast cancer?

No, according to both the National Cancer Institute and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

How do I find a safe doctor?

While the vast majority of providers offer quality care, there have been reports of clinics that skimp on protocol, and some “crisis pregnancy centers” may even use propaganda to try to prevent women from getting an abortion. To make sure you are in the best hands, call a trusted ob-gyn to see if she performs the procedure or can provide a good referral. Or call your local Planned Parenthood or the National Abortion Federation’s hotline (800-772-9100) for a clinic near you.

What if I decide against abortion, but I’m still not sure I’m ready to be a mom?

“There is support available if you want to continue the pregnancy,” says Grayson Dempsey, founder of Backline. First, see an ob-gyn to address any prenatal issues. Then seek out resources such as pregnancyoptions.info, which offers information about pregnancy, abortion, adoption and programs like Medicaid (which may help cover delivery costs).

What about adoption? I don’t know where to start.

Few women do, and “that’s one reason that only one percent of pregnant women choose adoption,” Dempsey says. “Unfortunately, there is as much stigma around adoption as abortion!” Backline’s talk line (888-493-0092) can refer you to agencies that will guide you through adoption laws in your state—and offer one-on-one support.

Why is the abortion rate so high?

While 54 percent of women who have an abortion say they were using contraception, 46 percent admit they weren’t. The simple truth is that we can do better—and that we owe it to ourselves to use protection consistently. “You’ve got to talk to your doctor about all your birth control options—discussing what you like and don’t like about any method—so you can have a plan that works for you in the long term,” says Dr. O’Connell. And every woman should have emergency contraception on hand as backup. It can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of a birth control slipup.